Blog 125 Another One Gone

It has been pleasant these past several blogs to have no bad news to pass along. Sadly, here is another of our class who has left for other pastures. Before that, however, “other pastures” reminds me of certain occasions at my company in years gone by. Over time, I came to recognized that whenever it was late on a Friday afternoon and someone came to my office, it was to advise me that they had accepted a job elsewhere. We would chatt for a bit as they worked up their courage to say that they were leaving and then we talked about their move some—where they were going, what they would be doing, etc. In the chat, I always reminded them that they would not find that the grass there was greener. Rather, I told them they would just be grazing in different grass that was not much changed from where they were.

Kay Haller

March 19, 1937-October 23, 2020

This info came to me via the Bell’s, who had heard from Kay’s brother, Roger. I knew Roger back when, so we have exchanged several emails since and also with Gay Arnold Harris. Gay and Kay were first cousins.

Roger told me that Kay suffered with severe dementia for the past eight years and was in a memory care facility in Dallas. She was married to Jon Cobb for 60+ years. Jon was Jeff class of ’53 and died last year. The obituary I found was only two lines. Should something more be published later, I will pass it along. Roger said that there will be a family graveside service at the Gruene family plot at Comal County cemetery in January.

Here are some of my memories of Kay, of whom I was always very fond.  Kay and I were mid-termers entering Jeff in January ’51.  I had transferred over from Mark Twain, and Kay was in a group that befriended me when I did not know anyone.  Her parents and mine were friends, so Kay may have been told to watch for me.

It has been at least fifteen years since hearing from Kay.

Roger told me Kay did not do emails and Jon was not especially diligent about doing them.

My last memory of Kay’s mom, Emma, occurred in 1979, after my family and I had moved back to San Antonio.  We were visiting churches and one Sunday went to University UMC.  We walked in and I thought, “this must be close to a retirement home, because everyone has gray hair.”  I did not realize it was the old Woodlawn Methodist Church with a new name.

After the service, a one of the gray hairs came up to me and said, “You are Jack Stutts.  Do you know who I am?”  I had no clue, which she must have realized, because she then said, “I am Kay’s mother.”  I looked at her.  Finally, I said, “Kay who?”  She said, “Why Kay Haller, of course.”  Then she said “You’re not a young man anymore.”  (I was 42 at that time.)  I asked about Kay, and Mrs. Haller said she had not changed a bit since high school.  Next, Warner Fassnidge’s mother came up and we went through a similar routine.  I concluded I was not ready for all that, and we did join another church.

If anyone cares to share a memory of Kay, please add your story here.

I mentioned Gay Arnold earlier. She was Jeff class of ’52. She was a majorette, which was claim to fame in my book. I thought majorettes were the cream of the crop at Jeff. Gay was widowed last year. She was married to Tom Harris, a well-known and beloved horticulturist here in San Antonio. I met Tom through Bexar County Master Gardeners and am honored to have known him.

Till next time…